More Tips for a Happy, Healthy Halloween

More Tips for a Happy, Healthy Halloween

In our last post, we talked a lot about the relationship between sugar, your teeth, and decay. Today we’d like to talk about an alternative to candy sweetened with sugar that can help you enjoy a healthier, but just as happy, Halloween.

Xylitol—A Beneficial Sweetener

Cane sugar and corn syrup aren’t the only sweeteners out there you can enjoy. Candy sweetened with xylitol can also help you satisfy your sweet tooth while also benefitting your smile.

You heard right—there’s actually a sweetener that is good for your teeth.

Xylitol is low in calories and is naturally found in fruits and vegetables. Unlike regular sugar, though, it doesn’t lead to decay. Instead, it promotes a stable, healthy pH level in the mouth, not an overly acidic one. As a result, xylitol candy can actually prevent decay and slow the production of harmful bacteria instead of the opposite. It’s so effective, in fact, that it’s sometimes used in natural toothpastes and mouthwashes.

So, while there’s nothing wrong with handing out Kit Kats and Hershey bars this Halloween, why not use this year’s trick-or-treating season to help others have a healthier smile. Visit your nearest Target, Wal-Mart, or health food store to see what kind of xylitol-sweetened candy they offer. You can also find candy sweetened with xylitol online at xlear.com.

And from all of us at Dr. Jill Wade’s dental office in Frisco, we hope you and your children enjoy a safe, fun, and (xylitol) treat-filled Halloween!

What’s the Relationship between Sugar and Cavities?

What’s the Relationship between Sugar and Cavities?

Halloween is coming up, and with it trick-or-treating. Kids love trick-or-treating, of course, and if we’re honest, we adults will admit we sort of like it too—especially if we can nab the occasional fun-sized candy bar.

But we wouldn’t be doing our part if we didn’t remind our Frisco and DFW-area patients to be careful about their sugar consumption. We don’t think you should avoid it complete of course—where’s the fun in that?—but we do want you to be mindful of how sugar interacts with your teeth. The more you know about this important aspect of oral health, the more proactive you can be about setting limits for yourself and your little one, while still having plenty of fun.

It’s not sugar itself that causes cavities. Instead, cavities are the result of a special chemical process that all begins when you take that first bite of candy or that first sip of Coke. The sugar in that treat catches the attention of a very special kind of bacteria in your mouth. That bacteria feeds on sugar, breaking it down and digesting it. The by-product of this is acid. It’s this acid—not the sugar itself—that wreaks havoc on tooth enamel.

So what can you take away from all this?

First, by all means, have fun on Halloween. But do remember to show moderation when snacking on treats.

Second, brush and floss thoroughly after enjoying your Halloween treats. Brushing and flossing are the best way for you to care for your teeth at home. You can also supplement your normal routine with a fluoride mouthwash. Using a fluoride mouthwash, you can give your teeth access to important minerals that will help them stand strong in the face of decay.

Third, if it’s been more than six months since your last checkup with Dr. Wade, give our Frisco dental office a call. Every checkup involves a professional cleaning to help manage bacteria and plaque, which can also cause gum disease.

Our office proudly serves patients from Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Dallas, and The Colony.